Still Must Read: Errol Morris on reenactments and film – he’s on part two now, and I still haven’t read his stuff on the Crimean War cannonballs from earlier; closing sections of Being and Time (although authenticity w/r/t my own death isn’t just something you can pick up); the following texts to avoid my thesis collapsing in a heap on my desk: Merleau-Ponty’s “Cezanne’s Doubt” and “Eye and Mind,” Heidegger’s “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” and “On the Origin of the Work of Art,” and J.J. Gibson’s Ecological Theory of Perception.
Seen: American Gangster (Ridley Scott, 2007); a pristine 35mm print of Chinatown (Roman Polanski, 1974). Last week’s BSG did not disappoint, but we’re behind and haven’t watched this week’s ep yet.
Raving About: Jazz Appreciation Month – the curmudgeon has mentioned three key albums to become acquainted with jazz. For the intermediate listener, I heartily recommend the work of Dave Holland and Keith Jarrett Trio (Jarrett – Peacock – DeJohnette). If you need some jazz in your life, I’ll point you in the direction of Jazz89 KUVO. Eleanor Swanson’s new book Before the Reef – I’ve written about Dr. Swanson’s work previously, and she’s just published this new novel. Congratulations!
Ranting About: Last week’s weather, that managed to kill a few of my herbs. Looks like we’re in for it once again this week, as they’re predicting rain and/or snow for Wednesday. We play volleyball on a net set at men’s height (7′, 11″), and I hate it when guys block ladies under this condition. The ladies on our team – and almost all the ladies in our co-ed league – can’t make a meaningful kill (spike) at that height. I’m all for fair play, but I was totally robbed earlier this evening and I’m still bitter about it.
Finished: A very rough draft of thesis proposal; review and comment for one of the journals I’m working with; some grading, but not all of it. I was observed by a peer while teaching Sartre last week, and it went well. My observer offered useful clarification and comment, particularly about Kierkegaard when clarification and comment were needed.
Working On: Revamping the draft of thesis proposal and determining how it should be presented in 20 minutes. People always complain about the length of verbal presentations, but I’m pretty sure teachers can knock out 20 with our eyes closed. I’m still grading, and wondering if it will ever finish. I’m also supposed to be teaching an online course this summer for the first time, and so I’m trying to transform my ethics course into online content. Yikes.
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